I went t the local Menards and bought a gallon can of Alykyd Enamel. Its a direct to metal paint.

I rolled it on with a foam roller, and touched up the small areas with foam pads.

Hard to tell it wasnt sprayed.

I have used this type of paint for many things, picinic tables (5 years outside and still going),
canoes, and most recently on forklifts in a meat plant, where the trucks are subjected to high temp high pressure sanitizer/water solutions. ITs the longest lasting stuff fo that application.